3 Tips for Inspiring Creativity When You're Feeling Uninspired
I’ll be honest, in the days leading to this article’s due date, I just wasn’t feeling it. It’s been one of those moments where you instantly go from pumped to pooped. I’ve been feeling like Ali Wong in her Baby Cobra comedy special—“I don’t want to lean in, I just want to lie down!” (By the way, I highly recommend watching if you want to die of laughter.) Just to give you an idea, here’s where my mind has been:
Sure, I can get to that meeting at 1pm... Why is there so much traffic?... Dog farts smell so bad...Really! Dirty clothes again?!.. When was the last time I vacuumed?... I think I’m getting sick, again… Oh, look - a butterfly!
Sure, I can get to that meeting at 1pm... Why is there so much traffic?... Dog farts smell so bad...Really! Dirty clothes again?!.. When was the last time I vacuumed?... I think I’m getting sick, again… Oh, look - a butterfly!
If you’re thinking that none of what I said sounds even remotely inspirational, I completely agree with you! I would’ve said that I was the unlikeliest person to take on this project. (I also won’t bore you with the ways I really wanted to pawn off this project.) However, it was precisely this reason I had to continue to push ahead. It meant a lot for me to get my creative soul back because I craved it.
While doing some light Google research, I stumbled across an article called “33 Surprising Ways to Boost Creativity for Free” written by Amber Petty. This was just what I needed—a condensed list of tips that would help inspire my creative journey to get back on track. It was like Amber spoke to me directly! So, after much experimentation, here are 3 tried-and-true tips that, personally, helped uplift my meh-mindset:
Listen to Music
For me, this general concept is really a no-brainer because I really do LOVE music! Music does affect my mood, and therefore, it was a good suggestion to get out of my head. Instead of listening to my usuals, I decided to change up my playlist a bit and include some smooth, hoppy bachata beats like this one from Romeo Santos, Imitadora (thank you, Zumba class). I don’t understand Spanish, but my shoulders and hips say otherwise. Break your cycle and change up your playlist to include some uplifting sounds to get you out of your head funk.
For me, this general concept is really a no-brainer because I really do LOVE music! Music does affect my mood, and therefore, it was a good suggestion to get out of my head. Instead of listening to my usuals, I decided to change up my playlist a bit and include some smooth, hoppy bachata beats like this one from Romeo Santos, Imitadora (thank you, Zumba class). I don’t understand Spanish, but my shoulders and hips say otherwise. Break your cycle and change up your playlist to include some uplifting sounds to get you out of your head funk.
Spend Time Outside
I found a change of scenery helped to spice up ideas. Somehow walking outdoors allowed me to see, sense and experience things that the 4 walls of my office couldn’t offer my brain. I’m thankful to live in beautiful Hawaii where there are a lot of beautiful things to attract my eyes. Do you have a local garden or park close by to take a brisk walk? Try it next time you find yourself in a rut.
I found a change of scenery helped to spice up ideas. Somehow walking outdoors allowed me to see, sense and experience things that the 4 walls of my office couldn’t offer my brain. I’m thankful to live in beautiful Hawaii where there are a lot of beautiful things to attract my eyes. Do you have a local garden or park close by to take a brisk walk? Try it next time you find yourself in a rut.
Get social
Perhaps social media has a bad way of sucking you into its explorational vortex of randomness, BUT for me, I love the Explore section of my Instagram account! I use it as a helpful tool to be inspired by what someone else is doing or going through. Sometimes, I’ll find new artists that I admire. Get exposed and discover what else there is. You might stumble across something refreshing for your thought process. I do recommend putting yourself on a timer though or else you might find an entire day lost after jumping down too many rabbit holes. Been there, done that!
Perhaps social media has a bad way of sucking you into its explorational vortex of randomness, BUT for me, I love the Explore section of my Instagram account! I use it as a helpful tool to be inspired by what someone else is doing or going through. Sometimes, I’ll find new artists that I admire. Get exposed and discover what else there is. You might stumble across something refreshing for your thought process. I do recommend putting yourself on a timer though or else you might find an entire day lost after jumping down too many rabbit holes. Been there, done that!
Do you ever get stuck in a creative rut that you feel you can’t dig yourself out of? Comment below - I’d love to hear what tricks you tried to get your mind back on track.
Posted: April 5, 2018 10:27AM HST
- Topics
- Creativity,
- Inspiration
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